A royal expert has pinpointed the real reason Prince Harry and Meghan Markle embark on pseudo-royal tours around the world.

The Duke and Duchess of Sus𝑠e𝑥 have just completed their second quasi-royal tour this year – in Colombia, where they spent four days last week promoting mental health among youngsters and the military community, cyberbullying, female empowerment and the cultural richness of Colombia.

Back in May, the Sus𝑠e𝑥 couple also visited Nigeria. Royal commentator Emily Andrews dubbed Harry and Meghan’s “tours” as “somewhat risky” due to them not having the protection or diplomatic expertise of the Foreign Office as they are not working royals.

The couple were invited to Colombia by Vice President Francia Márquez who provided them a full security detail during their visit, the cost of which reportedly hit the country with a £1.5 million bill, according to local media.

As they sensationally quit their royal duties in 2020 and moved to the US, the Sus𝑠e𝑥es no longer travel at the request of the UK Government on official overseas royal visits.

But despite that, according to Ms Andrews, the pair have a particular reason as to why they make these trips abroad – to promote themselves.

She wrote for Grazia: “Perhaps, then, these tours offer Harry and Meghan another initiative to highlight: themselves.

“With Harry celebrating his 40th birthday next month and ongoing courtroom battles in the UK, it does feel like a pivotal time for the Sus𝑠e𝑥es in their attempts to ‘look forwards.’”

The commentator also touched on how Harry and Meghan’s reputation has “taken a hit” in the US and concluded: “The question, then, is what happens next?

“As the invitations from other countries in need of a little Sus𝑠e𝑥 sparkle roll in, how will Harry and Meghan manage the risks of being ‘rogue royals’ without the safeguards of royal life? Only time will tell.”